20091204

The president of Somalia's Puntland State has strongly condemned yesterday's suicide blast that killed more than 22 people, including three ministers in the restive capital Mogadishu.

President Abdirahman Mohammed Farole said the barbaric act was meant to disrupt the security of the region, sending his condolences to the families of the victims.

"First of all I want to send my condolences to the families of all the ministers killed in the terrorist and satanic attack," he told BBC.

He called on neighbouring countries to do something about the situation, adding that his government is ready to help in solving the crisis.

"Am telling the neighbouring countries to help Somalia overcome this crisis because its affecting the region."

"We are ready to assist in anyway to help re-establish Somali state. We must come together to end this crisis."

The blast, which claimed the lives of innocent people including graduates, has attracted popular outrage in and utside the country with the fingers pointed at the insurgent group Al-Shabaab.

However, the group, through its spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, refute claims that it was behind the attack.

"We had nothing to do with the attack and we are very sad about it," he told reporters in Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab has in the recent past carried out attacks on government officials and African Union forces in the war-torn capital.

Al-Shabaab has in the recent past carried out attacks on government officials and African Union forces in the war-torn capital.

allafrica